Cutting-off mechanism in cigarette making and similar machines



W. COLE Sept. 26, 1933.

CUTTING-OFF MECHANISM IN CIGARETTE MAKING AND SIMILAR MACHINES 1928 7Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 27

Sept. 26, 1933. w. COLE 1,928,481

CUTTING-OFF MECHANISM IN CIGARETTE MAKING AND SIMILAR MACHINES FiledJan. 27, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y s 51f 50 Liza/Y W. COLE Sept 26, 1933.

CUTTING-OFF MECHANISM IN CIGARETTE MAKING AND SIMILAR MACHINES FiledJan. 27, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 W. COLE Sept. 26, 1933.

CUTTING-OFF MECHANISM IN CIGARETTE MAKING AND SIMILAR MACHINES 7SheetS-Sneet 4 Filed Jan. 27, 1928 454mm XML, 451 T1 W. COLE Sept. 26,1933.

Filed Jan. 27, 1928 7 SheetsSheet 5 Sept. 26, 1933. w.- COLE 1,928,

CUTTING-OFF MECHANISM IN CIGARETTE MAKING AND SIMILAR MAGHINES FiledJan. 27, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 A84 Um WSW p 1933- -w. COLE 1,928,481

CUTTING-OFF MECHANISM IN CIGARETTE MAKING AND SIMILAR MACHINES FiledJan. 27, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented Sept. 26, 1933 i a 1328, 8 5? iGrrrrrNd-i'or-rfr'mcmmrsllr IN orer ETTE a "S I AR MAQEWiiliam-Cole,'Bristol, England, assighor to-The;

Baron Cigarette MachinerygCompany Limited, f-

London, Britain Application January 192 8 Eng landya corporation ofGreat serralfnmaiasso,

and in Great Britain .llanuary 31, 1927 si Claims- (01; 131%? componentof movementapproximately equalto,

" the rod isbeing severed andwhilst the cutteris in contact with therod; the surfaces of that por-' tion of the cutter-which passes throughthe rod approximately coinciding, whilstsevering', with order to avoidexcessively damaging the rod. I

In cutting-off mechanismsof this type the aforesaid surface described bythe cutting edge" may be of any former may be a surface of revoluti'on.The surface ofirevolutionmaybe described about an axis of formationor'not; The cutter a may revolveabout afi-Xed axis and in doing so thecutting edge? maydescribe a surface o: revolt.-

1 tion formedfab'out the saidfixed'axis or not;

The object ofthisinvention is to provide-an improved sharpener','ledg'erplate and cutterior I cut offlmechanismsof'this'type. For'the purpose;of illustrating the application of thisin'ventioh to acutofi'mechanisrninwhich the cutter is revolving bodily about a fixe'd axisand in which'the cutting 'edgedescribes a surface of revolution aboutthe fixed axis of bodily revolution;:which is also the aiiisof formation.01 the nism. embodying a revolving helically forrned cutter isdescribed, bu't'it is to beunderstood that the invention can loeappliedto other forms of revolving cutters, and the applicationjof this in- Kvention is notlimited to helical "cutters-J Two, other methods ofapplying this inventionare illus trated and described herein; inone casethe cutter is movedon an elliptical path, and in the other' case thecutter-has a revolving motion combined with an oscillating motion in anaxial direction.

Where helical cutters have previously beenaem ployed, they have beenused in'combination with; an oscillating, sharpener and an oscillatingora moving'led'ger plate in orderto'enable the sharp the progressingcutting edge. I i I In a cutting-off mechanism of' the -'type described,a main sharpener made according to this invention'is, characterized inthat it isnon-oscilener and ledger plate to maintain contact with thesurfaces of the severed endsof the rod insurface described by thecuttingedge; amechal-f Iating and is formed and arranged so that thepor;

tionrof -the working surface which comes into actual contact with'thecutting edge isadapted to be brought into coincidence with that portiono'f the surface described through space by the cut ting edge where themain sharpener is applied; 7 In a cutting-off mechanism of thetypeidescribed andin which thefcutter is presented at a "suitableanglei'to some portionof the surface-described through space by thecutting edge to enable the {cutter to be sharpened upon asurface coincidingwith'the said surface described by'thecuttingedge, main sharpenermade accord-ff t ing to this invention is characterized in that-it isnon-oscillating and is formed andarranged so it that the portion .oftheworking surface "tvhi'ch70 comes into actual contact "vviththe:cuttingedge is, adapted [to be brought into coincidence with that portionof thesurface described through" space by thecuttih'g edge where the' ma'insharp-f eneris applied. 5: v The main sharpener may bestationarywhilst"; sharpening and constructed with 'the wholeiof the workingsurface "formed" to coincide as a whole and adapted to bebrought intocoincidence with that portion of the surface described through i 8 spaceby the .cutting'edgd where the'main sharp? ener'isjapplied. A In .analternative form the non-oscillating main' sharpener may be stationary or not and I may beformed andarranged so thatthe' porf tioniof' theworking surface actually contacting -with-a=the cuttingedge of thecutterjis adapted I I to bebrought into coincidence with a line 'upforiand across that portion of the surfacefdescribed is'applied: 5'

byuthe cutting edge, where the main sharpener The noneo'scillatingm'ain' sharpener,may also beformed and arranged With-a worlrihg'surfaceiJ formed as asurface ofrevolution about anycon venient 'axisof formationand theip'ortion' of the workingsurface which actually contacts withthe:

cutting I edge is adaptedrto be 'brought into 00- 1 incidence. with aline uponand acrossthat por tion=of the surface described by thecuttingedgef where the main sharpener is applied Where'theJl niain sharpener.is formed asa surface'of revo- I lution, it may be causedor allowed torotate about;

the axis of formation, as desired, s

Where. the cutter revolves about a fixeid axis, i

and the cutting edgedescribesa surfacepf revolutionabo'ut,fand co-axialwith; the said fixed ,7 A axis, the main" sharpener may be fstationarysand the working surfaceof thernain sharpener is then formed asaportion of a surface of revolution co: 1

inciding as a whole with that portion of the axial surface of revolutiondescribed by the cutting edge, where the main sharpener is applied. Themain sharpener may be revolved about a fixed axis and the workingsurface may be of helical'form and adapted to be revolved about the axisof thehelix, or may be in the' form of a rotatingdisc disposedapproximately transversely to,and intercepting the path of, the cut ter,and rotated synchronously with the cutter,

0 the said, rotating disc having a portion removed to allow the passageof the cutter-and :the-re'-;

ener may be provided to form the surface-bf the cutter which intersectsthe surface formed by the 'main sharpener, the cutting edge then-lying:at

the intersection of the two surfaces formed by the main andauxiliarysharpeners, respectively; The working surface of the auxiliarysharpener,

wherein contact with the cutting edge, must have. a. component ofmovement approximately equal 5* to, and in -the same direction as, thecomponent of movement of thev cutting edge, where-the auxiliarysharpeneris appliedso as to-maintain contact between'the-auxiliarysharpener and the'cutting edge.

ing movement or a continuously revolving movement as shown hereinafterwith reference to the drawings. 7 p

M l A ledger plate made in accordance-"withthis invention is stationaryand the working surface of the ledger plate across which'the cuttingedge sweeps, is formed andarranged to approximately coincide with thatportion of the surface described through space by the cutting edge ofthe cutter,

*"Twhere'the ledger plate is located. ,Where the cutter revolves abouta; fixed axis, and the. cutting edge describes asurface ,of revolutionabout, and co-axial with,'the said fixed. axis; the working surfaceof'the ledgerplate is formed and arranged -to approximately coincidewith that. portion of the said co-axialsurface: of revolution describedby the cutting edge, where the ledger plate is located. 1

Ajcutter made in accordance with this invention is characterized byhaving' a cutting edge which has been formed and sharpened .upon anon-oscillating main sharpener made in accordance with this invention. 1

a= cutting-off mechanism a suitable angle to some portion of the surfacedescribed throughspace by the cutting edgeQto enabletheccutter to besharpened upon asurface as a whole and ad'apted to be brought into'coincidence with that portion of the surface describedthrough space-bythe cutting edge, where '0 themain sharpeneris applied.

revolution and the cutting edge describes a surface of revolution, thesurface formed. upon. the

cutter by the said non-oscillating stationary main T sharpener coincideswith the surface of. revolu- The auxiliary sharpener may have an-oscillat-.

of the-type described and in which the cutteris presented at tiondescribedby the cutting edge where the said sharpener is applied.

Where the cutter revolves about a fixed axis, and the cutting edgedescribes a surface of revolution formed about, and co-axial with, thesaid fixed axis, the surface formed on the cutter by the main sharpenercoincides with that portion of the said co-axial surface of revolution,where 1 the main sharpener is applied.

A helical cutter-made in accordance with this invention "is con'tinuallyrevolved with uniform angular velocity about the axis of the helix andis characteriz'ed'by having a cutting edge formed bytheiritrs'ection oftwo surfaces. One of the said intersecting surfaces is formed as aportion of a surface of revolution of any desired or predetermined formand is co-axial with the axis of the helixof said cutter, said surfacebeing hereinafter referred to as the co-axial intersecting surface. Thissaid co-axial intersecting surface intersects one of the main helicalsurfaces of the cutter or'a bevel (whichmay have been formed bytheaforesaid auxiliary sharpener) on the said main helical surface therebyforming the cutting edge at thesaid intersection. Thecutting edge formedby the said intersection has a constant pitchmeasured in the directionof the axis of the rod where being severed. When the helical cutter isrevolved about the axis of the helix the cutting edge describes asurface of revolutioncoinciding with the aforesaid co-axial intersectingsurface. The surface of the cutter whilst in contact with the severedends of the rod must have a component of movement approximately equalto, and in the direction of, the feed of the rod where being severed Inthe preferred form the cutter is as a thin blade of the wafer type andboth the main surfaces of that portion of the cutter which passesthrough the rod coincide as closely as possible (whilst severinglwiththe surface of the severed ends of the rod.

A cutter made in accordance with this invention and which revolves abouta fixed axis, is, ormay be, provided with means for feeding the cutterto compensate for wear, such means to be operable whilst the mechanismis in use. The said means comprise an operating member arranged tobemoved in either direction by any meansalong the said fixed axis ofrevolution of thecutter and revolving with the cutter, the saidconstructedv operating member having a surface or surfaces inclined'tothe said fixed axis of revolution which engage with a surface orsurfaces formed upon the cutter or cutter carrier; An axial movement ofthe said operating member causes the cutterto'be fedforward orwithdrawn. One form of feeeding device is illustrated hereinafter asapplied to a helical cutter.

A cutter made in accordance with this invention and havingasufiicientdegree of flexibility, is or may be provided with means forforming the cutter into a helical formby warping or twlsting the cutterbetween or against abutments and is, or may be, provided with means foradjusting bility and is warped intothe desired helical form I by'be ing.located between or against abi m ts, If the; cutter is revolving about afixed axis of 1t en abutments preferably havenarrow contact surfacesarran ed anyfone ofjthree-positions,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic elevation time form of cut-off mechanism of thetype described show- Fig.2 is an end View ofFig. 1. g ,.Fig.,t 3 is-aplan of Fig.1. I 7 Fig. lis a diagrammatic plan of another form ofingone method of applying the invention cut-on", mechanism of the typedescribed showing the method of applying this invention to a cutterrnoving in anelliptical path. I

.. Fig. 5 is a partdiagrammatic elevation of Fig l.

' coincides with that portion of-the surface described through spacebythe cutting edge, where Fig; 6 is an end view of Fig. 5.: v r

.Fig. 7 ;is a diagrammatic front elevation, 31 15a diagrammatic endelevation and Fig.9 is a" diagrammatic plan of oneforin of cut-01fmech-v anism inwhioh a'helicalform of cutter is emspl yed:

,. I Fig. 10 is apart-sectionalfront elevationofa cutting oif mechanismshowing one form'of heli- Cally formed cuttenhaving means for adjustingthepitchof the helix and means forfeedingthe cutter to;compensate forWear; one form of main sharpener; one form of an auxiliary sharpener;

and one form of ledger plate, all made in accord,- anceiwiththisinvention. Fig. ll is an end elevation of Fig. 105

Fig. 12 is a plan of Fig. lfllwith'the sharpener; auxiliary sharpenerand'vledger plate omitted for i clearness.

i Fig; l3-is aldiagrammatic elevation; Fan's a diagrammaticend View, andFig. 15 isa diagrarn maticplan of one formof theradiallvarranged 4locations of the contact-surfaces of adjustable abutments forvarying thepitch. t

r Fig. .16. is. a diagrammatic end elevation, and

.Figl'] is a diagrammatic plan of an alternative form havin'g thecontactsurfaces of the adjustable abutments arrangedjperpendicularly toa J .radiallinefi ;Fig. 18 is ai -diagrammatic end elevation, and

Fig. 19 is a diagrammatic plan of anotheralternativegform havingj thecontactsurfaces of the ade justable abutments arrangedv as concentric'seg-' ments of annuli." f

Fig. ZOis a diagrammatic sectional front" elevae tion, Fig. 21 is adiagrammatic. endelevation and;

I Fig. 22 is a diagrammatic :plan ofone form of cutter feed mechanism,in accordance with this in-v *vent'ion. w v j f4 1 Figs. 2 3 and 24 arediagrammatic.elevations of; g

surface of each sharpenen where in actualc'on-p the auxiliarysharpenerillustrated in Figs; 10 and 11, showing the relative positions of thecut't'er and auxiliary sharpener at the commencement andfinish oirthecontact periodfig matically in Figs. l, 2 and 3, two cutters'loandllaremounted diametrically-opposite and adapt- Q ed tojbe rotated aboutthe axis The cutters *arefmoun'ted on carriers 12 and 13 having rollerswhole forming a parallellink motion which main-i tains the cutters"always 'perpendicular to the axis X X. The rollers 14 and 15 inrolling'around the swash plate '16 are given an oscillating movewentalong the axis X X and impartthe required 1 axial progression to,thecuttera This cutter the present invention can be applied-to existingmachines which comewithin the type defined. J

a radialvariationmeasured from the axis XX eners'employed inoptionalandifrnore than one: is employed they maybe of different gradesof ment of the cutteris approximately equal to, and

throughjspace by thecutting edge of the cutter;

. g edge. A similaradjustment will have to be made In the cut-oilmechanism shown diagranri 248,415 of, 1926. (Molins). Nopclaim' i'slmadeto anytl lingv claimed therein.. This; mechanism is illustrated here byway of example-to show how The cutting edge of the cutters 1D and 11have so thattherod isxcutwith a slicing-action. The (3.

cutting edges 'of the cuttersdescribe surfaces in space-paralleltotheswash-plate 16. The 5113,1131

eners 22, 23 and 24 are non-oscillating and cylin -f. drieal and each isarranged to be rotated. by means not shown about its own axis, ifdesired. The portionof the working surface ofthe sharpenerQwhereinactual. contact with thecutter,

formed with the Whole ofthe working surface adapted to coincide withthat portion oi" the surface describedthrough space bythe cutting edge,where the sharpener-isapplied; The sharpeners are not limited inapplication to the positions illustrated provided the before-mentionedconditions are satisfied: The sharpeners 22 and I 1 25 as arranged,sharpen the cutterupon. one'face and the Sharpeners 23 and 2(1 sharpenthelcutter upon the. opposite facejxLThenumb'er ofvsharp material," r Asillustrated, the'profiles of the cuttingedges of the ciittersli) and 11approximate very closely toQcirculararcs, anditwill beiseen that quite aconsiderable arc can be sharpened, as isshown by the cutter 11. Ifacomplete circular cutter-is employed, which is rotated about the centreof the cutter, the whole circumferential edge canbe sharpened. I L Y r ai The ledger plate 26, whichis pierced toallovf of the passage of therod12'7,'is non-oscillating, and islocated wherethe axial component-ofmovein thelsame direction as, the feed of. the-rod; The workingsurfaceof the ledger plate '26 is formed and arranged to approximatelyicoincidewith that particular portion of the surface described 125 where theledger plateis located;

" The lengthof cigarettes cut olf can be varied byaltering the angleofinclination of the swash plateand the speed ofrevolutionbf the cutterabout the axis The sharpenersinustthen be arranged so thatthe portionofthe-working t'actwith the cutter, coincides with the-modified surfacedescribed through space" by'the cutting tojtheledger plate. f l vEReferring nowto the mechanismillustrated in; Figsai, Band 6,-the cutteris movedinthe direc-w tion of the. curved arrow 33 on a closedellipticpath, shown by dotted lines 31 and 32 in Fig. 14,

the cutter being shown in various positions at 300., 30b,;30c, 30d, 30c,30 and 309. .The cutter surfacesare alwaysrnaintained parallel to the,major axis W W of the ellipse, and the two elliptical paths-31 and 32shown'by the do'tted-lines are described by the'extremities of thecutting edge. 9

The non-oscillating sharpener 34 has 'a'working' v surface formedandadapted to be brought into no: i

position for applying the sharpener is determined by selecting. aposition where the cutter is presented to the surface described throughspace by the cutting edge at the desired angle. The sharpener 34' isshownin one suitable position (5% Fig.

4) The sharpener 34 as shown operates on one surface only of the cutter.If it is desired to sharpen'the' other surfaceya similar sharpener canbe employed in a similar position on the adlb jacent quarter of theelliptic path, both sharpeners being on the same side of the minor axisof.

the elliptical path. The Sharpeners 35, 36, 3'7 and 38arenon-oscillating and cylindrical, and each is arranged to be rotatedbymeans not shown about its own axis, if desired. The portion of the 26The number of sharpeners employed is optional, and, if more than onesharpener is employed, they may be of different grades of material. V

The ledger plate 39; which is pierced to allow of the passage of the rod40, is non-oscillatingand 36 islocated: wherethe cutter 30 has acomponent ofmovement in relation to the axis of the rod 40,approximately equal to, and in the same direction as, the feed of therod. The working surface of W the ledger plate 39 is formed and arrangedto approximately coincide with that particular portion of the surfacedescribed through space. by the cuttingedge of the cutter, where theledger plate is located. I

If the elliptical path is varied for any reason,

4 0 as, for, example, in-order to vary the length of cigarette cut off,then the sharpeners must be adjustedso that the portion of the workingsurface of each sharpener, where in actual contact with A A the cutter,coincides with the modified surface d'e-. scribed by the cutting edge.A- similar adjustment will have to be'made to the ledger plate.

.Referring again to the drawings, the cutter 30 inthe position 309 iscommencing to contact with the sharpener 36; Inthe position 30 thesharpener is just finishing contact with the sharpener 36. During, thisoperation, the contact between the cutting edge and the sharpenertraverses downwardly alongjthe inclined surf ace'of the sharpener36.This progressivegmovement is clearly illustrated in the drawings.

The cutter contacts with'thesharpener 35- in a similar manner, but thetraverse is in an upward direction. I The cutter 30 is shown at 30commencing to contact with the sharpener 38' and-in travelling along theelliptic paths, the contact between the cutting edge and the sharpenertraversesdown wai'dly along the inclined surface of the sharpene'r 38.The cutter contacts with the sharpener 3? in a similar manner, but thetraverse is in an upward direction.

The cutter 30'is shown at 30a in action severing the cigarette rod 40,the plane of section of the ledger plate and cutter being through theaxis 'Y Y of the rod along the line-R B, Fig. 6.'

The cutterBO is shown at 30c incontact with the sharpener 34, and is asection along the line S S, Fig. 6. Y

The mechanism for moving the cutter along the elliptical paths is wellknown, and'is illustrated here to show the application-of the presentinvention to a cut-off mechanism of the type having an elliptic path.The invention maybe applied in like manner toa similar mechanism inwhich the cutter moveson a circular instead of an elliptical path;thecutting edge then describing a surface of revolution which is notformed about an axis of formation.

In the construction shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 of the drawings, thecutter 50 is formed as a portion of a helical screw thread developedupon a cylinder 51 and adapted to be revolved about the axis X X. Thenormal pitch 52 of the helix 52a is equal to the length of cigarette rod53 to be cut off.

The two main helical surfaces of the cutter 50 have aconstant pitch andas the cutter is continuously rotated with uniform angular velocityabout the axis X X, the progression of said surfaces is constant and isarranged to be equal to the feed of the cigarette rod 53. It is onlynecessary, therefore, to arrange that the keen cutting edge 54 lieswholly on one of these main helical surfaces and this is obtained in thefollowing manner." The stationary surface sharpener 55 has a workingsurface formed as a segment of a cone arranged co-axially with axis X Xand generates upon the cutter a surface 56' which intersects themainhelical surfaces of the cutter, the surface 56 so formed extending fromone main helical surface of the cutter to the keen cutting edge 54 lyingwholly on the other main helical surface of the cutter.

The profile of cutting edge 54 of the cutter 50 is thus ground by thesurface sharpener 55 to the form of an Archimedean spiral when viewedalong the axis X X (see Fig. 8) The cutting edge 54 and the surface 56describe a conical surface of revolution 57 coinciding with the workingsurface of the sharpener 55. The axis Y Y of the cigarette rod 53 isdisposed normally to the main helical surfaces of the cutter 50 and,therefore, inclined to the axis X X as shown in Fig. 9. It is, ofcourse, obvious that the axis Y Y of the cigarette rod 53 must beinclined in this manner 1 to the axis of the helical cutter so as toobtain a square cut.

The profile of the cutter and the angle of formation of the cutting edge(i. e., the angle of presentation of the cutter to the surface describedby the cutting edge) is governed by three factors:

(1) Diameter of helix;

(2) Pitch of helix; and

(3) The angular rotation of the cutter necessary to effect severance ofthe rod.

This will be apparent by considering the drawings. The cutter 50 shownin Figs. 7, 8 and 9 is formed from a 135 segment of a turn of the helix,the angular position of the leading point 50a of the cutting edge being135 in advance of the trailing point 50b. On looking at the helicalknife in Fig.

'7 it will be seen that the leading point 50a is %ths of the length ofthe pitch of the helix in advance of the trailing point 50b. Referringto Fig. 8, the radius measured from the axis X X of the helix increasesfrom a minimum at the point 50a to a maximum at the point 50b in %ths ofthe pitch. Considering now Figs. 7, 8 and '9, it will be seen that thisdetermines the angle of the surface sharpener 55.

If other shapes of the surface of revolution are employed, then theshape of the cutter 50, when viewed along the axis of the helix, will bevaried from the Archiniedean form shown in axisof the cone, andany'portion of the conical working surface can be brought intocoincidence with the conical surface ofrevolution 57. I 1

An oscillating auxiliary "cylindrical sharpener.

61 is-shown. This operates toremove any burr produced by the sharpeners55, 59 or 68 and is showndiagranunatically operated by the cam groove62.-

. The'stationary ledger plate 58 is formed as'a' portion er aconical-surface co-axial with the axis X Xand coinciding withftheconicalsurface of revolution 57; andit will'be seen that the cutting'edge 54 ofthe outtera'ndthe surface 56 will light contact, or. anyclesiredcIearanceJ sweep over the surface of theledger' plate58 withReferring to Figs. 11 and 12, -u1emeehamsm shown embodies a helicalcutter '70 with cutting edge 71 describing a conicalsur'faceofrevolution '72- about the axis X Xgas described withi reference to thediagrammatic-figures '7, s and 9.

Thecutter 7G is'rnade froma thin flexible sheet" of steel locatedbetween two pairsofadjustable:

abutinents 73, 74, 75and '76 bolted to themember" 77 which is adaptedtobe revolved with the shaft by an actuatin'g'member 8,9 operatedinanyconi I 105a and l06a,asshown by the dottedlinesin orwithdrawngandsuificient .rnovement isjpr'ovided to allow forjwear. Thebracket 96 canbe secured in the'desired position by the bolt 97. g

The auxiliary sharpener98 isin theform ofsa d I drawn by an axialmovement of the operating -7-'7a in the bearings '78 and '79 mounted onthe base" so. The rnembehfi'i is provided with *balance weights 77b. Thecutter 70 'is warped' into the desired helical form'by the adjustableabutments and interchangeable distancepiecessl-and 82 are interposedbetweenthe abutments 'lland'flfi and the member 77 to enable, thepitchof the. helix to, be varied. .Thexadjustable. abutments are arranged to permitof the cuttertobe fedradially to-the axis XX tocompensate for wear..- .1

- The. cutter '70 is secured in a cutter carrier 83., having a boss '84formed with a hole inclined at an Apin s5, inclined'atthesame angletothe axis X X,

angleto the axisfX'X (seeFig. 10);

acts'with the hole in thebossB; The pin '85, formed on the. operatingmember. 86, .is mounted on asquared portion8'7 of the shaft 77a andre-,.. volves with thelcutter. The operatingmember,

86 is formedwith a groove 88-which iserigaged venientmanner, not shown.

.The, ledger plate, -90 j.has. a working surface which coincides, whollywith; the conical surface of revolutioni 'lz. and islpierced to, permitthe passage 0f1'l1h9 cigarette roJdQL; A suitable small. clearance may'be allowed .to -;prevent the ledger, plate ilrfrom damagingthe cuttingedge 71. For this purpose the ledger plateiis slidably mounted on thebearingbracket. 92 andis secured in place bythe bo1t.93-., j 1 J Thenon:-oscillatingpylindrical sharpener 94 is co-axially mounted on;theshaft 95 and is-adapted tonerotatedrthereon,-: Theshaft 95 is formed ona bracketafldslidably mounted on, the base 80 to permit the sharpener tobe'brought into operation disc intercepting the path of the cutter; -anda segmental nortioniarempvedte ll w the s a .=v

thecontact surfaces into the positions 103a and of the cutting edge 71Thesharpenerj98 istmtated' (by means not shown) synchronously with thecutter 70 and theworkingsurface 99 is formed with a profile arranged tofollow theprogressive i move'rnent of the cutting edge whilst incontact. The 'auxiliary sharpener 98 is shown separately in Figs23 and24fat the commencement and finish of contact, respectively, with thecutting edge if 71. The direction of the progressive movement of thecutter 70 and the rotation of the'auxiliary sharpener 98 is shown by thearrows. Thefunction offthe auxiliary sharpener a-"istoremove any-"burrproduced bythe main'sharpener 94' and may be utilized to form abevelonthe cutter '70, so that the cutting edge then'lies intermediately '90between the faces of the cutter. Means '(not shown) are provided toadjust the position of the auxiliary sharpener 98 toallowfor'wear.

Referring now t'oFigs. l3, l4 and 15, it is clear I that a radialstraight line revolved-about ariaxis and with axial progressiondescribes a helical surface. These figures show, diagranimaticallygtheap lication of this fact to an alternative method of producing anushelical surface on the cutter blade by means of adjustable ab' utmentshaving 100 straight line radially-disposed"contact surfaces. In Fig. 13three straight -line-contact surfaces 100 v 101 and 102areshown radiallydisposed. FigLdZl showsin'heavy full lines, the relative positions offtheradially-dispoSed adjustableicontiact surfaces 5 along the axis of"the 'he'lixz Fig. 15fshows, i1if heavy full lines, the relativepositions of the said" radially-disposed adjustable contact'surfaces.The dottedlineslOOa and l 02a in Figs. 14am; 15 show these radially disposed;contactsurfaces adjustedtoa different pitch of helix byonlyaltersurface 101 remains unaltered;

v 5 i Referring to Figsmlfifand 17, these show, di agrammatically,alternative'positions of the con-15 15 tact'surface oftheadjustableabutment's' arranged as narrow surfacesl03 and 10 disposedperperidicularly to a radial-line, whenviewed along' the ing' therelativeaxial positions I The, contact axis X The contactsurfaces 103-and 104, when 'viewedalong the axis X X, are-straight,

but coincide witha helical surface of'the average pitchrequired, asshown by full lines in Fig. 17;- The pitch of the-helix is-adjusted'byswinging-' 104w as shown by dotted linesin Fig. 17.. 1

.Referring to Figss-ldand 19, the contactsur faces 1'05 and 106 arearranged as -segments of concentric annuli' and the pitch is adjustedbyswinging the contact surfaces into the-positions 'Disposedon a squaredportionllS of'the shaft w,

' is an operatingmember 1 l9 siin ilartothe op er'atingmeinber' 86 onFig. 10 and may be operated in a similar manner. The 'operatingnien'iber 119) hasan inclined cylindrical pin 120*whi'oh passes 1through slots 121 and 122 in the membersll l and 112 and engages withany oneof theffive inclined I '-.circu1ar holes 123 in the cutterllfl.The cutter 110 is fed forward in a radialdirectionforiwith member 119.

What I claim and desire to securebyLetters Patent is:

t 1. In a cutting-offmechanism of the type (16'? scribed and in which acutter revolving about a fixed axis isemployed, means for feeding thecutter to compensate for wear, said means to be Operable whilst themechanism is in use, the cutter being mounted between guides, said meanscomprising an operating member arranged to be moved in either directionalong the said fixed axis of revolution of the cutter and revolvingwithfthe cutter, the said operating member having a surface or surfacesinclined to the fixed axis of revolution which engage with a surface orsurfaces with which the cutter is constrained to move.

2. In a cutting-off mechanism of the type de-.

scribed andin which a helically formed cutter revolving about the fixedaxis of the helically formed cutter is employed, means for feeding thehelically formed cutter to, compensate for wear, said means to beoperable whilst the mechanism is in use, the helically, formed cutterbeing mounted between guides,- said means comprising an operating memberarranged to be moved in either directionalong thesaid fixed axis ofrevolution and formation of the helically formed cutter and revolvingwith the said cutter, saidoperating member having'a surface or surfacesinclined to the said fixed axis of revolution,

said inclined surface or surfaces engaging with the surface or surfaceswith which the cutter is constrained to move, n

3. In a cutting-off mechanism of the type described and in which ahelically formed cutter revolving about the fixed axis of the helicallyformed cutter is employed,-means for feeding the helically formed cutterto compensate for wear, said means to be operable whilst the mechanismis in use, the helically, formedcutter being mounted between guides,said means comprising an operating member arranged to be'moved in eitherdirection along the said fixed axis of revolution and formation of thehelically formed ,cutter and revolving with the said cutter, the

said operating member having a surface or surfaces inclinedto thesaidfixed axis of revolution and formation, said inclined surface orsurfaces engaging with the surface or surfaces formed upon a carrier towhich the helically formed cutter is secured, so that carrier and cutterare constrained to move with the said inclined surface orsurfaces formedupon the:

cutter carrier. H I

4. Ina cutting-off'mechanism of the type described and in which ahelically formed cutter revolving about the fixed axis of the helicallyformed cutter is employed, means for feeding the helically formed cutterto compensate for wear, said means to be operable whilst the mechanismis in use, the helically formed cutter being mounted between guides,said means'comprising an operating member arranged to be moved in eitherdirection along the said fixed axis of revolution and formation of thehelically formed cutter and revolving with the said cutter, the saidoperating memberhaving a surface or surfaces inclined to the said fixedaxisof revolution and formation, said inclined surface or surfacesengaging with the surface or surfaces formed upon the helically formedcutter, so that the cutter is constrained to move with the said inclinedsurface or surfaces'formed upon the cutter.

5. In a cutting-off mechanism of the type described and in which acutter revolving about a fixed axis is employed, means for feeding thcutter to compensate for wear, said means to be operable whilst themechanism is in use, the cutterbeing mounted between guides, said meansI comprising an operating member arranged to be moved in eitherdirection along the said fixed axis of revolution of the cutter andrevolving with the cutter, the said operating member having a surface orsurfaces inclined to the fixed axis of revolution engaging with asurface or surfaces formed upon a carrier to which the cutter issecured.

6. In a cutting-01f mechanism of the type described, a flexible cuttercharacterized by being warped or twisted into a helical form againstadjustable abutments making contact with the cutter upon narrow surfacesradially disposed to the axis of the desired helical form to which thecutter is to be formed, the said abutments being located on at leastthree different radial positions when viewed along the axis of thehelix.

'7. In a cutting-ofi mechanism of the type described, a flexible cuttercharacterized by being warped or twisted into a helical form against atleast one adjustable abutment, each abutment making contact with thecutter upon a narrow surface which, when viewed along the axis of thehelix, appears with its length perpendicular to a line radial to theaxis of the helix.

8. .In a cutting-off mechanism of the type described, a flexible cuttercharacterized by being warped or twisted into a helical form against atleast one adjustable abutment, each abutment makingcontact withthecutter upon a narrow surface which, when viewed along the axis of thehelix, appears with its length as a segment of an annulus concentricwith the axis of the helix.

9. Ina cutting-off mechanism having a cuttin edge and bevelled surfacedescribing a common stationary surface in space, a stationary ledgerplate having a working surface contacting with l the said stationarydescribed surface with a surface contact lyingiwholly on the saidstationary described surface, means for feeding the cutter to compensatefor wear and maintain the said described surface constant in form andsize, a sharpener to sharpen said cutter, said sharpener and ledgerplate being co-related with each other and with the said stationarydescribed sin-face of .constant form and size.

10. In a cutting-off mechanism of the type described, .a cutter thecutting edge and bevelled surface of which describe a common surface ofrevolution about and co-'axial with a fixed axis.

- 11.'- In a cutting-off mechanism of the type described, a helicalcutter, a bevelled surface on said cutter formed by sharpening saidcutter, means for revolving said cutter about the axis of the helix, thecutting edge of said cutter and .said

bevelled surface describing a common stationary surface of revolutionformed about and co-axial with the axis of the said helical surfaces,said axis having. a fixed location.

12. In a cutting-on mechanism of the type dccutter formed by sharpeningsaid cutter, means scribed, a helical cutter, a bevelled surface on saidfor revolving said cutter about the axis of the helix, the cutting edgeof said cutter and said bevelled surface describing a common conicalstationary surface of revolution formed about and 1,928,481; a commonsurface in p de, a stationary ledger; the cutting edge andbevelledfsurface describing; i plate, the working surface of the saidmain sharp I .ener and said ledgerylate being co-relatedtoj,

, eachother, each. making contact with the said stationary surfacedescribed throughjspace the said contacts both lying wholly upon thesaid stationary described surface. r 14, In a cutting offznechanisrncfthetype dej-' scribed, a cutterhaving helical surfaces,means helices, said axis being fixed; a mainsharpener monstationarysurface formed about and. co-ax plate, the working surfaces ofthe said: main sharpener and ledger. plate being co-related to I V, I g

with a contact which is a linelying whollyupon each other each making acontact with thesaid :o-axial stationarysurface of revolution describedby the cutting edge, the said contacts" both described surface of Irevolution, the .Said cutting edgeand ground bevelled surfacebothsweeping over the working surface of theledger plate with lightcontact or ,a slight clearance. 15'. In a cutting-01f mechanism of the,type described, a cutter, a bevelled surfacelon' said outter, the,cutting edge and said bevelled surface describing a common stationarysurface in space scribed surface.

scribing a common stationary surface inaspace and a stationary mainsharpener characterized in that the contact between the sharpener andthe said stationary described surfaceis a surface,

contactly ll whollyupon the said stationary described surface, the saidmain sharpener being.

stationary and having the whole of the Working surface formed tocoincide as a wholewith that portion of the said stationarydescribedsurface 4 iaryjsharpener to remove any burr formed by where thesharpener is applied.

17. In a cutting-0d mechanism of the type described, a cutter, abevelledsurface on said outfter, the cutting edge and said bevelled surfacedescribing a common stationary surface in space and the said stationarydescribed surface being a surface of revolution described about a fixedaxis and thesaid main sharpenerbeing station'- co-axial with the saidfixed axis and a main sharpener, the said main sharpener beingstationary and having a working surface formed to 19. In a cutting-elfmechanism of [the type de-. scribed, a helically formed cutter, means,for re.

volving the'said cutter abouttne fixed axis of the m -helical surfaces,a bevelled surface on said cutter,

for revolvingsaid cutter about theaxis of the ial with the said fixedaxis; a stationary ledgerf lying wholly upon the said co-axialstationary.

- bevelled surface, cutting-edge and-bevelled surand a stationary mainsharpener characterized that the contact between the sharpener and thesaid stationary described surface is a surfacecontact lying whollyuponthe said stationarydes. In cuttm orf naturism (su ea (1e;

' i'ary and having the whole of the working surface a common conicalsurface.lofirevolution,forrnedv about cld co-axial withrtheI'said-"fixedaxis and] a main'sharpenenthe said main sharpener being stationary andvhaving ar-workizr surf ace formed tocoincideyas'awhole-with that portionof the said. stationary. described conical co -axial surface ofzrevolutiongwhere' the .said :main sharpener is applied.)

20,111 av cuttingroffdmechanisinof type de-i' scribed; a cutter, abevelled surface on said ou the said stationary. describedsurface. ,21;In abutting-off mechanism of the type described, .a cutter withsurfacesof helical form,-- I

means for revolvingsaid cutter about the fixed: axisofthe helicalsin-laces, a bevelled surface on' said cutter, amain sharpener.forigrindingsaid facedescribing a stationary. surface of revo1utionformed. aboutv andco-axiali th the fixed axis of the helices, saidLmain' sharpener contasting with the said stationary described sur-'face ofirevolution .with a contact which is' a line .105

lying whollyupon he said stationary described surface of revolution,,saidinain sharpener thaving a Working surface formedas asurface of p 1revolution .abouttandcoeaxial with any conven ient. fixed ..axis andsupporting means for said sharpener, to enablethasaid main sharpener tobe; rotated about its axis f: formation, and means forrotating saidsharpener H I 22. In a cutting off mechanismi of the type 7 described, acutter having surfacesof helical form,

the said main sharpener and means for rotating said auxiliary sharpenerabout a fixed axis synchronously with the revolving "cutter,;thesaidlzfii auxiliary sharpener being formedas a disc disposedapproximately transversely to and intersecting the said stationarydescribed surface, a working surface forminga part only of the peripheryof said disc with a profile arrangedtomfl follow the progressivemovement of the cutter in the direction normal to the cutter surfacesand sharpenthe cutter by removing the bum made j" on the cuttting edgeby the said mainsharpener. v

23. In a cutting-01f mechanism of the type clescribecLa cutter, thecutting edge' of which describes a stationary surface through space, abevelled surface to said cutter, the saidbevelled j surface terminatingin the cutting edge, and a stationary ledger plate having a workingsurface fi of revolution abouta fixed axis and a stationary ledger platehaving a working surface making surface contact with saidstationary'described surface.

25. In a cutting-off mechanism of the type described, a cutter, abevelled surface on said cutter, a main sharpener to grind said bevelledsurface, said cutting edge and bevelled surface describing a commonstationary surface in space, and a stationary ledger plate having aworking surface making surface contact with said stationary describedsurface, said main sharpener having a working surface making linecontact with the said stationary surface, said main sharpener thus beingco-related with the ledger plate.

26. In a cutting-off mechanism of the type described, a cutter, abevelled surface on said cut- I ter, means for operating said cutter,the cutting edge and bevelled surface describing a common stationarysurface in space, a main sharpener to sharpen said cutter, said mainsharpener being stationary, the working surface of said sharpenercoinciding as a whole with the said stationary described, surface, thecontact between said Lsharpener and said stationary described surfacecomprising a surface contact lying wholly upon the said stationarydescribed surface.

27. In a cutting-on mechanism of the type described, a cutter carrier,adjustable abutments on .said cutter carrier. at flexible cutter mountedagainst said abutments by which the said cutter is formed into a portionof a helix,-and means for adjusting the said abutments to enable thepitch to be varied to coincide with the prede- BBJItermined helical formof desired pitch.

28. In a cutting-off. mechanism of the type described, a cutter, meansfor revolving said cutter about a fixed axis, a main sharpener forsharpening said cutter by forming a bevel surface 40.;thereon, saidcutting .edge and bevelled surface describing a common stationarysurface of revolution formed about and co-axial with the said fixedaxis, and a stationary ledger plate, the workingsurfaces of the saidmainsharpener and ledger plate being co-related to each other, eachmaking a contact with the co-axial stationary described surface ofrevolution, the said contacts both lying wholly upon the said co-axialstationary described surface of revolution, the said cutting edge andbevelled surface of the cutter both sweeping over the working surface ofthe ledger plate with light contact or slight clearance.

. 29. In a cutting-off mechanism of the type described, a cutter, abevelled surface formed on said cutter by sharpening said cutter, meansfor operating said cutter, a stationary surface described through spaceby the cutting edge of said cutter, every portion of said bevelledsurface contacting with a portion of the said stationary describedsurface.

30. In a cutting-01f mechanism of the type described, a cutter, abevelled surface on said cutter, means for operating said cutter, thecutting edge and said'bevelled surface describing a common stationarysurface in space and a main sharpener to sharpen said cutter, thecontact between the sharpener and the said stationary de- 109scribed'surface comprising a line lying wholly upon the said stationarydescribed surface.

31. Ina cutting-off mechanism of the type described, a cutter, means forrevolving said cutter about a fixed axis, the cutting edge describing astationary surface in space, the said stationary described surface beingformed about and coaxial with the said fixed axis, a main sharpener forsharpening said cutter, an auxiliary sharpener to remove any burr formedon the cutting a component of movement equal to and in the samedirection as the component of movement of thecutter surfaces in adirection normal to the said cutter surfaces.

-' WILLIAM COLE.

